MICHAEL ARNDT TO WRITE SCREENPLAY FOR STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

November 09, 2012

As pre-production of Star Wars: Episode VII begins, Lucasfilm has confirmed that award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay for the new Star Wars film. As revealed in the ongoing video series posted here on StarWars.com, Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas have begun story conferences with Arndt. Arndt won an Academy Award® for Best Original Screenplay for writing Little Miss Sunshine (2006), and was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for writing Toy Story 3 (2010).

For more news about Star Wars: Episode VII -- slated for a 2015 release -- keep checking StarWars.com.

http://starwars.com/news/michael-arndt-to-...pisode-vii.html

Okay, we can strike another name off the list.

Direct from Brad Bird's Twitter:

"Not doing Star Wars."

"The science fiction film I AM doing is gonna be cool."

"I'm not slamming Star Wars. I'm just doing "1952"!"

"Michael Arndt is a fantastic writer and Kathy Kennedy is a brilliant producer. I will be first in line to see the new STAR WARS."

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Added on November 19, 2012, 7:55 amColin Trevorrow on Directing ‘Star Wars’? – “I Promise You… I Will Make It Not Suck”

While we wait for an official decision on who will be directing Star Wars Episode VII, the rumors continue flowing in as to who might be up for the gig. Earlier this month, Safety Not Guaranteed helmer Colin Trevorrow was named as someone who has actually had meetings at Lucasfilm and is definitely on the list of contenders. Well, now something else has come to our attention that could be an actual confirmation that the Hollywood newcomer is following his debut with a trip to the Star Wars galaxy.

Reader Lenny Crist sent us a video from way back in June of Trevorrow talking to Spencer Fornaciari of The MacGuffin podcast in which he claims his next project will involve him tackling a mythology with a substantial fanbase, part of which will likely be angry with him for landing the gig. Check out the potentially revealing interview (specifically from 21:45 to 22:24) and a transcript of what he says after the break.



For those who want the text, here’s exactly what Trevorrow says about an unnamed new project:

“I can’t speak with any specificity as to what the next thing will be. There are amazing opportunities that have arisen as a result of this. One of them, I will say, will probably create a good deal of ire against me on the Internet when people find out what it is. So, I just want to say in advance that I promise you, for all those who love the mythology that I will be tackling, trust that I love it as much as you do. And I will respect it, and hopefully make it not suck.”

At the time, of course, the ambiguous statement couldn’t have possibly been interpreted as being about Star Wars. But now that the film has been announced and especially with his name rumored already, there is no denying that this is what he was talking about. And it certainly sounds like he’s sure he is on board rather than merely a contender for the gig.

The statement also seems similar to the less sure comment Trevorrow made recently while at the Stockholm International Film Festival in an interview with Moviezine. Translated (via Google) from Swedish:

I would not comment much on it, but I’m as much a Star Wars fan like everyone else who grew up with it as one of the most important in their lives. I am deeply aware of how incredibly important it is for billions of people. It really is a mythology, and possibly also a religion for many. I can not comment on what my involvement would be, but I can definitely say that I would love to direct a Star Wars movie at some point in my life.It would be incredible. I will not be deterred by it. While I understand that every thinking director who cares about the series as much as I do, would be afraid to ruin something. But I also believe that there is a risk that many directors would gladly take, precisely because they care so much about it.

Who knows when he or another filmmaker will be announced, but if Trevorrow turns out not to be the director of Episode VII, maybe George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy have been looking at names for the entire next trilogy — which we already know has been plotted out by screenwriter Michael Arndt — and he has been slated instead for Episode VIII or Episode IX.

http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/rumors/co...-wars-ccamp.php

This post has been edited by aiman04: Nov 19 2012, 07:55 AM

That statement by Kathleen Kennedy was misread by many, she actually mean 2-3 films a year, not necessarily Star Wars. She wants Lucasfilm to be active in the film industry as it supposed to be. Maybe a serious drama, musical, comedy, animations, etc.

I know, that was many days ago I thought everyone knew it already. And Colin Trevorrow has just confirmed that he's not doing it, though he made sound as if he was actually considered by Lucasfilm as one of the candidates. Last week Frank Marshall did say they have narrowed down to a couple of candidates, with Colin out this means they've actually decided of the director. I'm guessing it could be somebody similar, from young/indie group, maybe Josh Trank?

Sources: Lawrence Kasdan, Simon Kinberg Lock Deals to Write and Produce 'Star Wars' Installments

The pair will write either Episode VIII or Episode IX — their exact division of responsibilities is yet to be determined — and they will also come aboard to produce the films.

Even under the secrecy of a Jedi mind trick, certain secrets — like the plans for a Death Star — can still spill out.

Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg have closed deals to write installments of the new Star Wars trilogy, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter. The pair will write either Episode VIII or Episode IX -- their exact division of responsibilities is yet to be determined -- and also will come aboard to produce the films.

As THR previously reported, Oscar winner Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine) is writing the script for Episode VII, the first of the new trilogy and the first Star Wars film to be made without the hands-on input of creator George Lucas. Kasdan and Kinberg would join Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy as producers. Word of Kasdan and Kinsberg's involvement began spilling out Tuesday, but Disney and Lucasfilm are declining to comment. Official announcements regarding the new Star Wars will appear on StarWars.com, according to the studio.

Kasdan is a Lucasfilm and Star Wars vet. He co-wrote 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, still considered the movie series’ zenith, as well as 1983’s Return of the Jedi. He also wrote the screenplay for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Kinberg is co-writing the new X-Men movie, X-Men: Days of Future Past and was a producer on X-Men: First Class. He also is producing Cinderella for Disney.

Kasdan is repped by CAA and attorney Robert Marshall at Greenberg Glusker; Kinberg is repped by CAA and attorney Karl Austen at Jackoway Tyerman.


SOURCE

They're really not wasting time on this. Lawrence Kasdan, wow, have always been thinking of him to write every Star Wars movie since The Empire Strikes Back, but never thought he would want to.

Never heard of a production hiring creative team so early, I mean now 2012, for a 2017 release?

Could they all be in production back-to-back (not unheard of), or even concurrently with two (or three) separate production teams?

Put Matthew Vaughn back in the list, right at the top. He could actually be the one really.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/59802

http://starwars.com/news/star-wars-is-bein...pisode-vii.html

STAR WARS IS BEING KICK-STARTED WITH DYNAMITE J.J. ABRAMS TO DIRECT STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

January 25, 2013

After a bevy of emails and phone calls, the formalities have been wrapped up, and at long last everyone can exhale and properly share the word with an excited Internet. Yes, J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

"It's very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie," said Kennedy. "J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture."

George Lucas went on to say "I've consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller." He's an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn't be in better hands."

"To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor," J.J. Abrams said. "I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."

J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner."

Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year's Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm's preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.

Past Star Wars veterans, dating back to the classic trilogy, offered words of praise from their direct experience with Abrams:

Visual Effects Supervisor Dennis Muren, ASC, whose credits include the original Star Wars trilogy as well as landmark films such as E.T. and Jurassic Park, also worked with Abrams on Super 8. "He puts everything he has into his work," said Muren. "He totally immerses himself. He's got such a visual eye, which is so important to the Star Wars films. It seems that a lot of the same things that were in George when he made the first Star Wars films are also in J.J. I think he's going to fit into the other movies perfectly, with the energy that J.J. has. We're kick-starting Star Wars again with dynamite. It will knock people out, including the people who get to work on it. I think it's a great choice."

Ben Burtt, responsible for such iconic Star Wars sounds as Darth Vader's breathing, R2-D2's beeps and the classic lightsaber, has worked with Abrams as sound designer and sound editor on Star Trek and Super 8. "J.J represents the next generation of filmmakers from those that were making Star Wars when I started," said Ben Burtt. "When he was a teen, he was a fan of Star Wars, and a great deal of his love for movies came out of his reaction of that first Star Wars film. You feel that he's already invested so many years in it, and he's going to propel it forward in a new way. In other words, you're having a fan who has grown up and developed tremendous directorial skills finding himself at the steering wheel to take the franchise into the next stage. I feel like I'm there watching history turn over from one era to another."

Matthew Wood, who served as supervising sound editor on Super 8, similarly grew up as a Star Wars fan before working on the films through the prequels. "Working with him, it was so obvious to me that J.J. and I have the same nostalgic love of that era. Now we have someone from that generation who is going to be at the helm of the Star Wars franchise that I've known and worked on, so it's a great circle. Just seeing what he did with Super 8 and capturing those moments, and knowing what was so special about that era, it's going to speak to a new generation of audience as well."

Can't believe nobody posted this here. Not much geekasm for Star Wars I see.

Filming officially commenced. Working title Star Wars: Episode VII.



Bad Robot @bad_robot #dayone pic.twitter.com/18jtSH7xYM

GSC has added shows for midnight Dec 16. So now I finally can see the first show in Malaysia in the best hall in 2D - ATMOS-THX. LieMAX is a bit better but no 2D so no deal.

I'll be watching at least twice, gonna watch again with my kids on Dec 19. I think D-BOX is not really a big deal, just vibrations on your seat. I've been getting that in the THX hall in Summit USJ from the awesome sound there, it's still the best in Malaysia for me. Now I can also get that in my own theater at home.

By the way, what happen to the THX hall in Summit USJ? They're not showing The Force Awakens in that hall.

My home theater is better than any cinema in Malaysia. Seriously, it all just comes back on how you appreciate the experience and not everyone is the same. For me this LieMAX is loud, which is nothing to say about quality, only the slightly bigger screen is the redeeming factor but it's not even 15/70 mm anyway.

Way to get it out of context. I hope you're just kidding, otherwise you must be 5.

I rest my case. But seriously, did you really fail to understand my post or you were just kidding?

This post has been edited by aiman04: Nov 20 2015, 01:07 PM

Very true, I was just talking about theater performance in general, especially when we can have dolby ATMOS at home now. No questions about the cinema of course, there's no other way for new films. That is why I was looking for the best available right now. Unless it's the real IMAX, the ones we have in Malaysia feel fake for me, and the sound just too loud without authority. My opinion of course.

Definitely, this should be the ultimate choice for Dolby ATMOS, where overhead effects will be utilized the most. Imagine a giant Star Destroyer floating above you entering the screen coupled with tremendous low frequencies. And those X-Wings and TIE fighters zapping by left, right and above. Dolby ATMOS was made for this.

Not sure about GSC MAXX though, heard some complaints about bad picture quality. But I haven't tried so don't take my word for it.

This post has been edited by aiman04: Nov 25 2015, 07:03 PM

This is a work of art.

Bad news, looks like I will be in Jakarta next week. Anyone know the best cinema there?